Lahti will double snow storage for 2028 winter games

Lahti plans to double its stored snow capacity to ensure ski trails are ready for major competitions even in mild weather, Yle reports.

The city is preparing a new snowmaking and storage plan for its sports centre. Capacity is expected to rise from about 15,000 cubic metres to 30,000 cubic metres.

Lahti will host the January 2028 Winter World Masters Games with Heinola and Levi. The multi-sport event is for athletes over 30, and competitions in Lahti will include cross-country skiing and ski jumping. Venues must be ready by December 2027, so the city plans to store snow made this winter.

The storage method will also change. Snow piles have previously been covered with natural sawdust, which must be removed before the snow can be used. The city will instead use an insulating mat made up of a surface layer, an insulating layer and geotextile underneath.

Lahti will probably need two new storage locations. One could be at the Teivaa car park, and another in terrain near the ski trail network to avoid transporting snow long distances. The new method is not expected to require additional funding or staff, according to the city’s head of sports services, Henri Rauhamäki.

The water-pipe network needed to make artificial snow will be expanded slightly next summer, increasing snowmaking capacity in the terrain. Rauhamäki said insulating mats are also widely used at ski resorts, including Ruka, Levi and Ylläs.